Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)(laphamsquarterly.org)
laphamsquarterly.org
Albert Hofmann discovers the effects of LSD (1943)
https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/intoxication/exploring-alternate-universe
100 comments
Given that he didn't know what we know now about LSD (that it's not going to kill you or cause brain damage), his experience was probably a lot more terrifying than the usual bad trip. Not being able to remind yourself that you're safe and that the drug's effects will wear off would make it a lot more scary.
Not only that, but I was struck by the realization of how devastated he must have felt to be dying (or so he thought) after consuming 250 MICROgrams of a substance.
The part where he worried about whether his family would think he was reckless for doing this was poignant, because there was no way anyone could have expected 250 micrograms of ergot to produce any sort of observable effect.
The part where he worried about whether his family would think he was reckless for doing this was poignant, because there was no way anyone could have expected 250 micrograms of ergot to produce any sort of observable effect.
That dose was a few thousand times larger, though.
[deleted]
A peculiar presentiment—the feeling that LSD-25 could possess properties other than those established in my first investigations—induced me, five years after the first synthesis, to produce it once again so that a sample could be given to the pharmacological department for further tests.
This was quite unusual; experimental substances as a rule were definitely stricken from the research program if once found to be lacking in pharmacological interest. Nevertheless, in the spring of 1943, I repeated the synthesis of LSD-25. As in the first synthesis, this involved the production of only a few centigrams of the compound.
I absolutely love this writing. Reminds me of the great "scientific gothic" novels like Frankenstein and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
This was quite unusual; experimental substances as a rule were definitely stricken from the research program if once found to be lacking in pharmacological interest. Nevertheless, in the spring of 1943, I repeated the synthesis of LSD-25. As in the first synthesis, this involved the production of only a few centigrams of the compound.
I absolutely love this writing. Reminds me of the great "scientific gothic" novels like Frankenstein and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
> As in the first synthesis, this involved the production of only a few centigrams of the compound.
At ~0.1mg per dose, this translates to "only" a few hundred doses.
At ~0.1mg per dose, this translates to "only" a few hundred doses.
I found the documentary "Orange Sunshine" to be a very illuminating tale of licit (and then illicit) synthesis and distribution of psychedelics, mainly LSD-25 but they do mention psilocin, etc.
At one point they had produced 10,000 doses in one synth, a grief-fueled synth. An anecdote to be sure, but a hell of an anecdote I won't ruin by paraphrasing any further.
This naturally leads into the story of ALD-52, also known as Orange Sunshine. The analogue people liked more than LSD-25 itself. Which is an entirely new interesting tale of injustice and prosecutor overreach, with an entirely new bunch of folks.
"...And Justice for All" indeed.
At one point they had produced 10,000 doses in one synth, a grief-fueled synth. An anecdote to be sure, but a hell of an anecdote I won't ruin by paraphrasing any further.
This naturally leads into the story of ALD-52, also known as Orange Sunshine. The analogue people liked more than LSD-25 itself. Which is an entirely new interesting tale of injustice and prosecutor overreach, with an entirely new bunch of folks.
"...And Justice for All" indeed.
This encouraged me to read his book "LSD: my problem child" (where this article pulls this excerpt from). I would recommend anyone interested in psychedelics to give it a read! It's available for free on the internet archive: https://archive.org/details/LSDMyProblemChildByDr.AlbertHoff...
> I was just barely capable of asking my companion to summon our family doctor and request milk from the neighbors.
Hah, hah, a sign of the times. That's the last thing I'd want to injest when in the throws of a deep, harrowing LSD trip, yuck.
Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch (if you're able to read the watch that is). Time can help ground you in the sense that you know roughly when the peak will occur, so if you're already overwhelmed 2 hours in, that means "only" 2-4 hours before you're over the hump ;-)
Taking LSD is very much continually answering the question, "here, ultimate (un)reality, isn't that what you asked for?", with "Yes". Easier said than done when you're in the thick of it...
Hah, hah, a sign of the times. That's the last thing I'd want to injest when in the throws of a deep, harrowing LSD trip, yuck.
Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch (if you're able to read the watch that is). Time can help ground you in the sense that you know roughly when the peak will occur, so if you're already overwhelmed 2 hours in, that means "only" 2-4 hours before you're over the hump ;-)
Taking LSD is very much continually answering the question, "here, ultimate (un)reality, isn't that what you asked for?", with "Yes". Easier said than done when you're in the thick of it...
> That's the last thing I'd want to injest when in the throws of a deep, harrowing LSD trip, yuck.
I imagine he wanted to ingest milk in the throes of an LSD trip because he thought it would be the appropriate antidote for what he perceived as poisoning.
> Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch
Yes, but nobody in the world at the time knew how long LSD trips last, or whether you'll be alive at the end of it.
I imagine he wanted to ingest milk in the throes of an LSD trip because he thought it would be the appropriate antidote for what he perceived as poisoning.
> Really the only thing that "helps", I find, is a watch
Yes, but nobody in the world at the time knew how long LSD trips last, or whether you'll be alive at the end of it.
> nobody in the world at the time knew how long LSD trips last
And no one knew that losing the ability to read/understand time is a pretty common psychedelic side effect.
And no one knew that losing the ability to read/understand time is a pretty common psychedelic side effect.
I find that writing down stage times when I’ll be at various stages of the experience ahead of the event helps gather some perspective
In terms of the milk, my thoughts were he was trying to settle his stomach as LSD tends to cause a sensation of stomach tightness.
It’s also often given in the case of general poisoning.
Yes, he gives this reason in the next paragraph:
In spite of my delirious, bewildered condition, I had brief periods of clear and effective thinking—and chose milk as a nonspecific antidote for poisoning.
In spite of my delirious, bewildered condition, I had brief periods of clear and effective thinking—and chose milk as a nonspecific antidote for poisoning.
We always carried “totems”.
Little trinkets that we’d hold while waiting for the effect while silently repeating to ourselves that this would remind us we’re just high.
Be damned if you lost that thing though.
Mine was a toy kitten holding a cheeseburger.
Little trinkets that we’d hold while waiting for the effect while silently repeating to ourselves that this would remind us we’re just high.
Be damned if you lost that thing though.
Mine was a toy kitten holding a cheeseburger.
I brought a little metal chain into a trip once. Then a couple hours later, while we were all sitting in the dark hallucinating, I started absentmindedly playing with the chain. Everyone heard the sound and thought there was a dog in the room, which convinced me there was a dog in the room, and we all spent a good couple minutes trying to figure out who had brought a dog with them before I realized I was playing with my trip chain.
Something I've gotten into the habit of doing actually involves writing on my arm in sharpie. I notate what I took, how much, and at what time.
I got the idea from a friend, who likes to experiment with some psychedelic RCs. The idea is, if for some reason he ends up in the ER, unable to communicate what he has taken to the doctor trying to help him, it's on his arm!
I got the idea from a friend, who likes to experiment with some psychedelic RCs. The idea is, if for some reason he ends up in the ER, unable to communicate what he has taken to the doctor trying to help him, it's on his arm!
Thats a pretty good idea!
What’s interesting is when LSD was first discovered and popularized with psychiatrists, it was considered a “model psychosis” - inducing a temporary state of psychosis which researchers could use to study mental problems. That theory was discredited in the late 60’s when it got banned (it was one of the reasons why it was supposed to have no medical value).
I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience it totally matches a mini psychotic event.
I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience it totally matches a mini psychotic event.
In my experience doing LSD with a bunch of people over the years, you experience your moods, feelings, and fears.
So if you take it and you're not in a happy or content place, it's not fun.
I never had a bad trip. Maybe luckily but maybe as a result of having a lot of friends that did a lot of drugs while I abstained. I did research for a few years before trying anything and added in my own anecdotal evidence of babysitting all my friends.
LSD probably is what helped me find my place in the world and killed the crippling depression I had as a child. Likely helped my 'autistic' behaviors as well.
I don't credit it with revolutionizing my life, but it was certainly a catalyst. Of course, take this with a grain of 'salt' ;-)
So if you take it and you're not in a happy or content place, it's not fun.
I never had a bad trip. Maybe luckily but maybe as a result of having a lot of friends that did a lot of drugs while I abstained. I did research for a few years before trying anything and added in my own anecdotal evidence of babysitting all my friends.
LSD probably is what helped me find my place in the world and killed the crippling depression I had as a child. Likely helped my 'autistic' behaviors as well.
I don't credit it with revolutionizing my life, but it was certainly a catalyst. Of course, take this with a grain of 'salt' ;-)
You mind if I ask how old you are? When was the last time you did LSD?
Any chance you would have just grown out of the depression anyway?
I've always dealt with depression, and it got a lot better naturally when I turned about 30, although definitely a good bit still lingers. I might want to try LSD to beat the last of it, but I feel a little old to get started on a LSD project.
Any chance you would have just grown out of the depression anyway?
I've always dealt with depression, and it got a lot better naturally when I turned about 30, although definitely a good bit still lingers. I might want to try LSD to beat the last of it, but I feel a little old to get started on a LSD project.
20 or 21, I'm 44 now.
No chance I would have grown out of it, everyone in my family suffers from it to varying degrees throughout their lives. They've all self medicated and pharmacologically medicated themselves for most their lives.
I still deal with depression, but not as acute as throughout my childhood. Looking back I was depressed from 1st grade onward. Not many kids in elementary school look back at preschool with melancholic feelings, at least not that I am aware of. I lived my life reliving every prior moment and the interactions. I'm on the autistic scale as well, so I'm sure that has something to do with it.
I also did therapy and many other medications throughout my life as well. LSD was the only one that seemingly helped, in retrospect, beyond their initial dosing.
No chance I would have grown out of it, everyone in my family suffers from it to varying degrees throughout their lives. They've all self medicated and pharmacologically medicated themselves for most their lives.
I still deal with depression, but not as acute as throughout my childhood. Looking back I was depressed from 1st grade onward. Not many kids in elementary school look back at preschool with melancholic feelings, at least not that I am aware of. I lived my life reliving every prior moment and the interactions. I'm on the autistic scale as well, so I'm sure that has something to do with it.
I also did therapy and many other medications throughout my life as well. LSD was the only one that seemingly helped, in retrospect, beyond their initial dosing.
Have you discovered what it was in the LSD experience that let you break off from those hindrances? Were you fully aware and conscious (meditative) on it or on a rollercoaster 'tripping balls'?
I didn't take LSD for any therapeutic reason. I took it to enjoy the experience. The assistance in fixing my lifelong depression was a side effect I only realized had taken place may years later (in the last 4-5 while reading articles about how LSD/Ketamine? have helped people with depression).
It was never a rollercoaster for me. Outside of auditory and visual hallucinations you can mostly control your environment. In fact, it was always quite enjoyable. Playing music, either myself or recorded was an amazing experience, but most everything was.
It was never a rollercoaster for me. Outside of auditory and visual hallucinations you can mostly control your environment. In fact, it was always quite enjoyable. Playing music, either myself or recorded was an amazing experience, but most everything was.
You're not too old. While you're tripping, you might as well be a child.
Looking at the definition of psychosis:
> a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.
Based on my research, typical (and even greater than typical) recreational doses of LSD do not cause a “severe mental disorder” as described in the definition.
At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with external reality.
> a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality.
Based on my research, typical (and even greater than typical) recreational doses of LSD do not cause a “severe mental disorder” as described in the definition.
At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with external reality.
It only has that effect when they gave it to people in test trials in terrible settings like mental institution s and prisons which is why Dr Leary was adamant about set and setting
If you consider the entirety of your consciousness and the structure of thought processes and sensory perceptions.. If LSD blurs all these things, mixes and merges them a bit with excessive neural activity.. It's clear to see your sensory input will have a significant effect on the experience. Even in this regard, we can consider all the possible associations a given external stimulus will trigger in the brain.
External stimuli may be one of the few contributors of the experience that has a significant temporal persistence, possibly giving it substantial influence.
External stimuli may be one of the few contributors of the experience that has a significant temporal persistence, possibly giving it substantial influence.
> At “raves”, for example, lots of people are under the influence and yet they have not lost contact with external reality.
Taking LSD is a strange choice for a rave, IMO; you want less visual and audio stimulation under it's influence, not more.
MDMA, MDA, 2CB, amphetamines, mephedrone and other similar substances (and their mixes in ecstasy pills) are much more rave-friendly.
Taking LSD is a strange choice for a rave, IMO; you want less visual and audio stimulation under it's influence, not more.
MDMA, MDA, 2CB, amphetamines, mephedrone and other similar substances (and their mixes in ecstasy pills) are much more rave-friendly.
Candy-flipping is not uncommon at raves - that's taking LSD with MDMA / Ecstasy.
It depends on the kind of rave.
The fast drumming beat of psytrance for example works quite well for 'carrying' the trip.
House or minimal on the other hand would be to irregular and 'cold' for LSD IMHO.
The fast drumming beat of psytrance for example works quite well for 'carrying' the trip.
House or minimal on the other hand would be to irregular and 'cold' for LSD IMHO.
> IMO; you want less visual and audio stimulation under it's influence, not more.
What one is going to feel overwhelming on a trip or what is going to synergize is in my experience extremely individual. I find crowds of people or mostly any strangers quite discomforting while music and movies are like pure bliss.
What one is going to feel overwhelming on a trip or what is going to synergize is in my experience extremely individual. I find crowds of people or mostly any strangers quite discomforting while music and movies are like pure bliss.
Its only a matter of dosage. If everyone at a rave have been ingesting over 800ug you would see a very different event. Typical blotter will have anywhere between 60ug - 150ug.
I’ve taken LSD maybe 100 times and the side effects can include paranoia, confusion (I’ve thought I was in a different century), gross distortion of time, seemingly “profound” revelations, loss of ego/self confidence and of course hallucinations, many of which are similar to people suffering a psychotic break.
My friend who had a psychotic break likened it to an LSD experience.
Of course I’m only listing negative effects here, it’s not all bad, please don’t get that impression. It can be transformative and a positive experience.
My friend who had a psychotic break likened it to an LSD experience.
Of course I’m only listing negative effects here, it’s not all bad, please don’t get that impression. It can be transformative and a positive experience.
Right, that sounds more like a dissociative than a psychedelic.
And what research is that, other than personal experiences and/or a hunch (not trying to be a jerk, just genuinely asking)?
Salvia does this. It causes powerful hallucinations and also is highly dissociative.
i don't know, sensitivity varies. beyond-casual research at home with blindfold/stereo on resulting in hyper-real visuals and totally losing the plot on time and space and reality-vs-fantasy and knowing (or caring) who/what/where/when/why. definitely impaired thoughts and emotions and memory and logic and common sense and sensorimotor functions. fun and safe and interesting in private with a sitter. but wouldn't want to be like that alone in public, things get real weird at higher doses.
I can't speak to the similarity psychosis, never having experienced it.
But, in a similar vain, I think anyone who has ever had an experience with LSD was simply blown away by the "Deep Dream" visualisations. The similarity is so obvious that one cannot escape the conclusion that neural nets are actually similar to the brain in some profound ways, especially if you consider that "Deep Dream" was an open-ended experiment, not intended to create such effects.
But, in a similar vain, I think anyone who has ever had an experience with LSD was simply blown away by the "Deep Dream" visualisations. The similarity is so obvious that one cannot escape the conclusion that neural nets are actually similar to the brain in some profound ways, especially if you consider that "Deep Dream" was an open-ended experiment, not intended to create such effects.
I'd second that. The strongest sensation of that kind I had when mixing 4-Aco-DMT (a psilocin prodrug) with LSD. I suddenly saw eyes in random places. Was fun - not creepy at all.
Psychosis is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of experiences and causes.
LSD might simulate some of these experiences, but all it really tells researchers about is LSD induced psychosis.
LSD might simulate some of these experiences, but all it really tells researchers about is LSD induced psychosis.
You're right but that doesn't mean it can't be useful for understanding psychosis in general. Clinical psychologists could, for instance, take lsd to get some sense of what their patients experience. It wouldn't be identical, but would offer at least some reference point for what it means to be psychotic.
> I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience it totally matches a mini psychotic event.
Jan Irvin at GnosticMedia has an interesting article about this "Entheogens: What’s in a Name? The Untold History of Psychedelic Spirituality, Social Control, and the CIA" [0] (note: this is part 4 of a 5-part series).
"Today there are many names for drug substances that we commonly refer to as “hallucinogens,” “psychedelics,” “psychoactives,” or “entheogens,” et al. But it hasn’t always been that way. The study of the history and etymology of the words for these fascinating substances takes us, surprisingly, right into the heart of military intelligence, and what became the CIA’s infamous MKULTRA mind control program, and reveals how the names themselves were used in marketing these substances to the public, and especially to the youth and countercultures."
edit: There is some interesting etymology here, Irvin claims it evolved from the word "psychotomimetic" (mimicking psychosis)
[0] https://www.gnosticmedia.com/Entheogens_WhatsinaName_Psyched...
Jan Irvin at GnosticMedia has an interesting article about this "Entheogens: What’s in a Name? The Untold History of Psychedelic Spirituality, Social Control, and the CIA" [0] (note: this is part 4 of a 5-part series).
"Today there are many names for drug substances that we commonly refer to as “hallucinogens,” “psychedelics,” “psychoactives,” or “entheogens,” et al. But it hasn’t always been that way. The study of the history and etymology of the words for these fascinating substances takes us, surprisingly, right into the heart of military intelligence, and what became the CIA’s infamous MKULTRA mind control program, and reveals how the names themselves were used in marketing these substances to the public, and especially to the youth and countercultures."
edit: There is some interesting etymology here, Irvin claims it evolved from the word "psychotomimetic" (mimicking psychosis)
[0] https://www.gnosticmedia.com/Entheogens_WhatsinaName_Psyched...
I disagree and I think most researchers decided that it was not a good mental model and most moved on to amphetamines or later cannabis as a better model.
> I believe there’s a lot of truth to it, from my experience it totally matches a mini psychotic event.
From Wikipedia: "Psychosis is an abnormal condition of the mind that involves a loss of contact with reality."
If we use this definition I'd be inclined to differ. LSD only to some extent and under certain circumstances will cause of loss of contact with reality. In my experience LSD intensifies perception and affect to such an extent that it can become overwhelming. It also alternates how we see things.
Like overclocking a CPU will make it faster and more useful until a point where starts to work unreliable.
From Wikipedia: "Psychosis is an abnormal condition of the mind that involves a loss of contact with reality."
If we use this definition I'd be inclined to differ. LSD only to some extent and under certain circumstances will cause of loss of contact with reality. In my experience LSD intensifies perception and affect to such an extent that it can become overwhelming. It also alternates how we see things.
Like overclocking a CPU will make it faster and more useful until a point where starts to work unreliable.
It depends on how extreme your standard for break with reality is. Most trip reports I've read indicate a break with consensus interpretation of reality, which is consistent with psychosis. I have experienced bipolar psychosis twice, and LSD psychosis ~12 times, and subjectively they are far more similar than not. I'd say they are only barely distinguishable by subtle intangibles. Again, subjectively.
I have the exact same reaction as you, but many of my friends don't. I'm perfectly lucid and have never lost reality, I just get very intense perception and am hypersensitive to social cues (I read too much into people's reactions).
Overclocking a CPU seems to me to be analogous to a manic episode. So, not too far off to say LSD can be used to mimic a psychotic break.
The comparison of lsd to overclocking a processor is a pretty good one. Someone I know describes the experience in a similar way: "In normal waking life, data comes into my brain in a singular stream. On lsd my brain feels like it has the ability to process more at once- more streams."
Interesting things happen with all this input. Sensations get mixed around and felt in odd ways. For instance synesthesia... You make hear colors, or see emotions.
Here's an article about LSDs effects on the brain: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/11/lsd-impact-b...
Interesting things happen with all this input. Sensations get mixed around and felt in odd ways. For instance synesthesia... You make hear colors, or see emotions.
Here's an article about LSDs effects on the brain: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/11/lsd-impact-b...
A friend of mine is a synesthete. He finds it a blessing and a curse in his day to day life.
Psychedelics naturally amplify this, and the fact that he can feel emotion through touch, taste a sound or hear a color fascinates me to no end.
He never knew he was one until I showed him the Wikipedia page for synesthesia, he just thought he was fucked up in the head.
The things he must feel and experience I can only hope to have a taste of one day before I die.
Psychedelics naturally amplify this, and the fact that he can feel emotion through touch, taste a sound or hear a color fascinates me to no end.
He never knew he was one until I showed him the Wikipedia page for synesthesia, he just thought he was fucked up in the head.
The things he must feel and experience I can only hope to have a taste of one day before I die.
In my experience it feels more like you're underclocked than overclocked. Sensations become so overwhelming at times it's hard to interpret them in ways that can be useful to you. I think in normal waking life, your brain interprets these sensations for you and narrows the amount your conscious mind actually has to deal with.
I would imagine it depends on the dose. An large dose of lsd would render just about anyone completely incoherent and possibly, absolutely insane. However, there is a reason many are gathering behind the idea of microdosing lsd for productivity. Here's an article on microdosing: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/gv5p5y/a-brief-hi...
She was no longer Mrs. R, but rather a malevolent, insidious witch with a colored mask
it feels like I'm reading the memoirs of Dr. Frankenstein
it feels like I'm reading the memoirs of Dr. Frankenstein
Disclaimer: I probably shouldn't be posting this, even under a throwaway, but I'm on the other side of the
international date line, and I've had a few beers tonight. This post is in response to several comments on this
thread.
I've done quite a lot of LSD, and I feel that I have some anecdotal input that might be valuable to some. First, some background regarding my usage:
I've been using hallucinogenic substances for about 20 years (I was sixteen when I had my first LSD trip); at this point in my life, I like to have about four solid trips per year. In total, I've had around 200-250 trips on various drugs. At one point, I was doing mushrooms so frequently that they essentially stopped working (there was a week during college when I dosed on high-grade cubensis mushrooms eight times - by the end of the week, it took a full ounce before I could feel any effect). I've done most of the 2C drugs, DMT, ketamine, and every drug about which you've ever seen a cautionary after-school special. I've micro-dosed on LSD, and I've thumb-printed raw crystal. I've had multiple "level five" experiences. I've worked in tech for years, at companies that you've heard of.
First off: please be aware that hallucinogens are very powerful drugs, and they should never be taken lightly - I make no pretense of being a role-model. I knew a man who was absolutely addicted to LSD (he tripped every day, give or take since the early sixties - during the time that I knew him, he had a week or so when he couldn't trip, and he was truly frightening to be around sober. If you've ever seen anyone go off of anti-psychotics cold-turkey after prolonged usage, it was similar.)
That said, I believe that hallucinogens, and particularly LSD, have profoundly improved my life. The shift in perspective has helped me to defuse many emotional and psychological issues, and heightened my understanding of people, programming, and society as a whole.
To the person who wonders if they are too old to try LSD, I think you most likely are not. Most people who I have seen lose their shit on hallucinogens had it happen in their 20's - if you've made it to 30 without issues with psychosis, you're most likely in the clear.
All first time users should have their first experience in a comfortable setting, ideally with an experienced guide. I think it's tragic that modern society has all but eliminated the role of a shaman - it is very helpful to have someone who has walked the path before you show you the way.
One point that I would like to emphasize is that you shouldn't do hallucinogens to have fun. The experience is, of course, very frequently enjoyable, but these experiences should not be taken lightly. Personally, I believe that there is no such thing as a "bad trip". Some trips are challenging, and unpleasant, but if they are viewed with the proper perspective, they are still useful. Indeed, I have purposely taken trips in unpleasant circumstances in order to help me transcend various issues (again, if you have pre-existing psychosis, or are under ~25 years old, a trip might trigger some underlying issues).
If you're curious, and reasonably stable, I strongly recommend that you give it a try. LSD is the safest option - be wary of "designer" drugs, which can have much more dangerous side effects. As in all things, research is your friend, do some reading on erowid.org before you try any new drug. Be wary of LSD look-alikes, namely 25-I, which is increasingly common these days.
This is obviously a throw-away account, but I'll try to respond to any questions or comments tomorrow (GMT+8).
I've done quite a lot of LSD, and I feel that I have some anecdotal input that might be valuable to some. First, some background regarding my usage:
I've been using hallucinogenic substances for about 20 years (I was sixteen when I had my first LSD trip); at this point in my life, I like to have about four solid trips per year. In total, I've had around 200-250 trips on various drugs. At one point, I was doing mushrooms so frequently that they essentially stopped working (there was a week during college when I dosed on high-grade cubensis mushrooms eight times - by the end of the week, it took a full ounce before I could feel any effect). I've done most of the 2C drugs, DMT, ketamine, and every drug about which you've ever seen a cautionary after-school special. I've micro-dosed on LSD, and I've thumb-printed raw crystal. I've had multiple "level five" experiences. I've worked in tech for years, at companies that you've heard of.
First off: please be aware that hallucinogens are very powerful drugs, and they should never be taken lightly - I make no pretense of being a role-model. I knew a man who was absolutely addicted to LSD (he tripped every day, give or take since the early sixties - during the time that I knew him, he had a week or so when he couldn't trip, and he was truly frightening to be around sober. If you've ever seen anyone go off of anti-psychotics cold-turkey after prolonged usage, it was similar.)
That said, I believe that hallucinogens, and particularly LSD, have profoundly improved my life. The shift in perspective has helped me to defuse many emotional and psychological issues, and heightened my understanding of people, programming, and society as a whole.
To the person who wonders if they are too old to try LSD, I think you most likely are not. Most people who I have seen lose their shit on hallucinogens had it happen in their 20's - if you've made it to 30 without issues with psychosis, you're most likely in the clear.
All first time users should have their first experience in a comfortable setting, ideally with an experienced guide. I think it's tragic that modern society has all but eliminated the role of a shaman - it is very helpful to have someone who has walked the path before you show you the way.
One point that I would like to emphasize is that you shouldn't do hallucinogens to have fun. The experience is, of course, very frequently enjoyable, but these experiences should not be taken lightly. Personally, I believe that there is no such thing as a "bad trip". Some trips are challenging, and unpleasant, but if they are viewed with the proper perspective, they are still useful. Indeed, I have purposely taken trips in unpleasant circumstances in order to help me transcend various issues (again, if you have pre-existing psychosis, or are under ~25 years old, a trip might trigger some underlying issues).
If you're curious, and reasonably stable, I strongly recommend that you give it a try. LSD is the safest option - be wary of "designer" drugs, which can have much more dangerous side effects. As in all things, research is your friend, do some reading on erowid.org before you try any new drug. Be wary of LSD look-alikes, namely 25-I, which is increasingly common these days.
This is obviously a throw-away account, but I'll try to respond to any questions or comments tomorrow (GMT+8).
You’re recommending that the general public engage in consuming LSD. This is so incredibly irresponsible that I’m at a loss of words. Simply, there’s no reliable way to assess whether someone will have a bad reaction. Your recommendations for assessing safety are not reliable. And, trips are a one-way journey. You’ll never be the same after you trip.
Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has already fried his/her brain on acid, and isn’t in any position to say whether that crap will affect you in any bad way, and they certainly don’t care, despite carefully framing their bad advice. This person is interested in “enlightening” as many people as possible, and his/her friends will disembowel you because there’s “twelve” of them. Quite simply, some people have a brain chemistry that doesn’t mix well at all with LSD.
You’re really irresponsible for posting this. Shame on you. How dare you post such a recommendation. Someone could listen to your advice here, think that because they’re stable that they’re safe, have a bad reaction and never quite be the same.
That garbage is pure evil poison for some, and one simply has no way of ensuring they won’t have a bad reaction, regardless of whether they are stable or not. One will never be the same after dosing, for better or worse. Johnny 95 IQ quarterback might not be profoundly impacted, but a typical nerd with an already creative mind will certainly have a life changing experience, and such changes are not always roses for all, despite your anecdotes.
I am cognizant of the fact that my viewpoint on this subject is not the norm in these parts, but someone needs to offer a responsible counterbalance. I recommend that most people do not try LSD at all.
Just keep in mind that you’re getting advice from someone who has already fried his/her brain on acid, and isn’t in any position to say whether that crap will affect you in any bad way, and they certainly don’t care, despite carefully framing their bad advice. This person is interested in “enlightening” as many people as possible, and his/her friends will disembowel you because there’s “twelve” of them. Quite simply, some people have a brain chemistry that doesn’t mix well at all with LSD.
You’re really irresponsible for posting this. Shame on you. How dare you post such a recommendation. Someone could listen to your advice here, think that because they’re stable that they’re safe, have a bad reaction and never quite be the same.
That garbage is pure evil poison for some, and one simply has no way of ensuring they won’t have a bad reaction, regardless of whether they are stable or not. One will never be the same after dosing, for better or worse. Johnny 95 IQ quarterback might not be profoundly impacted, but a typical nerd with an already creative mind will certainly have a life changing experience, and such changes are not always roses for all, despite your anecdotes.
I am cognizant of the fact that my viewpoint on this subject is not the norm in these parts, but someone needs to offer a responsible counterbalance. I recommend that most people do not try LSD at all.
It seems that you or someone you know has had a bad experience with LSD - I'm very sorry about that. I've known a couple people for whom LSD triggered or exacerbated some underlying conditions; however, when I looked deeper into these cases, there did seem to be a strong correlation with them having pre-existing issues.
If you look into the statistics, I think you'll find that most of the cases where LSD has triggered other issues, the unfortunates tend to be under the age of 25 (it seems that most of the neurochemical issues that don't play well with acid manifest in the early 20s for most people).
I agree that LSD will almost certainly cause a life changing experience, and that such experiences are "not always roses for all", however, I do believe that life changing experiences are, in general, good things if taken with proper perspective. Again, YMMV.
I kind of resent your statement that I've fried my brain - I think that anyone who knows me would disagree with that assertion, but I understand that you're presenting the perspective of someone who has had a bad experience (or who knows someone who has had a bad experience). Any chance you'd like to discuss the motivation for your viewpoint further? I'm very interested in more data on the subject!
In any case, my apologies if I have offended; my intent was to share my experience.
I'll emphasize again that anyone considering taking any drugs should do some research first (erowid.org presents both the good and the bad), and should know themselves well before experimenting.
I truly hope you'll share some more about your experience(s). Thanks!
If you look into the statistics, I think you'll find that most of the cases where LSD has triggered other issues, the unfortunates tend to be under the age of 25 (it seems that most of the neurochemical issues that don't play well with acid manifest in the early 20s for most people).
I agree that LSD will almost certainly cause a life changing experience, and that such experiences are "not always roses for all", however, I do believe that life changing experiences are, in general, good things if taken with proper perspective. Again, YMMV.
I kind of resent your statement that I've fried my brain - I think that anyone who knows me would disagree with that assertion, but I understand that you're presenting the perspective of someone who has had a bad experience (or who knows someone who has had a bad experience). Any chance you'd like to discuss the motivation for your viewpoint further? I'm very interested in more data on the subject!
In any case, my apologies if I have offended; my intent was to share my experience.
I'll emphasize again that anyone considering taking any drugs should do some research first (erowid.org presents both the good and the bad), and should know themselves well before experimenting.
I truly hope you'll share some more about your experience(s). Thanks!
You and the rest of this Silicon Valley hippie love fest is infested with possessed fried self important humans that live in a goddamn bubble. (Note how the previous comment was down voted). You don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t have the whole picture at all, and your promotion of LSD here is damaging to society.
Oh, and you use the word “I” too often. You’re selfish. “Oh I hope you share your experiences!” I’ve never done that garbage, but I’ve known folks that had no indication of any mental issues totally lose their minds and never recover. Frame it however you want; had they not taken that poison, they wouldn’t have had that experience and wouldn’t have ruined their lives. One can have no indication of any mental hangups, dose on LSD in what they believe is a sound state of mind and trustworthy set/setting, and never be the same thereafter, for the far worse. It’s Russian Roulette for the mind.
There’s obvious survivorship bias here. Someone who lost their shit and ruined their life likely isn’t posting on hacker news. And such forgotten acid casualties are presumed to have already had pre existing issues by folks like you, which is just more self serving nonsense. It’s part of the counter-culture mental-tough-guy mentality. “Can you handle it?” “Yo that guy who went nuts on acid was already crazy”. Well maybe, not in every case, but his brain chemistry didn’t mix well with LSD.
People get damaged from that shit permanently (LSD) and there’s no way to know in advance if that’s the case. Your “research” on that subject isn’t relevant at all. You and the rest here are spreading dangerous information.
Check your ego, son. Your brain is fried. At the least I’m hoping this response doesn’t get totally flagged. It’s personal to me, very much, when you (and others, but you’re the worst offender in this thread) promote that poison in a place where people lurking don’t understand the hippie underpinnings of this community.
Oh, and you use the word “I” too often. You’re selfish. “Oh I hope you share your experiences!” I’ve never done that garbage, but I’ve known folks that had no indication of any mental issues totally lose their minds and never recover. Frame it however you want; had they not taken that poison, they wouldn’t have had that experience and wouldn’t have ruined their lives. One can have no indication of any mental hangups, dose on LSD in what they believe is a sound state of mind and trustworthy set/setting, and never be the same thereafter, for the far worse. It’s Russian Roulette for the mind.
There’s obvious survivorship bias here. Someone who lost their shit and ruined their life likely isn’t posting on hacker news. And such forgotten acid casualties are presumed to have already had pre existing issues by folks like you, which is just more self serving nonsense. It’s part of the counter-culture mental-tough-guy mentality. “Can you handle it?” “Yo that guy who went nuts on acid was already crazy”. Well maybe, not in every case, but his brain chemistry didn’t mix well with LSD.
People get damaged from that shit permanently (LSD) and there’s no way to know in advance if that’s the case. Your “research” on that subject isn’t relevant at all. You and the rest here are spreading dangerous information.
Check your ego, son. Your brain is fried. At the least I’m hoping this response doesn’t get totally flagged. It’s personal to me, very much, when you (and others, but you’re the worst offender in this thread) promote that poison in a place where people lurking don’t understand the hippie underpinnings of this community.
I think the down votes are due to you and the previous person attacking the poster instead of his post. I think you present some valid points and they would come through a lot better if you focused on them instead of attacking the poster.
I agree with OP’s recommendation that one should consider trying LSD only after much research and understanding. It has changed many lives, yes...mostly for the better, according to my research. Even “bad trips” can be for the ultimate good.
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'LSD is the safest option'
Safer than cubensis?
Safer than cubensis?
In my opinion, yes. Dosage can vary wildly from mushroom to mushroom, even from the same batch. The physical side-effects of mushrooms can be much more difficult to deal with (in my experience, it is way more common for people to have intense vomitting on mushrooms than on LSD).
Furhteromore, mushrooms contain many more chemicals than just psilocybin/psilocin; they are often unsanitary(especially mushrooms that are found rather than grown). Assuming that you've got actual LSD, there's not much chance of it being contaminated with anything that will have any effect at the dosage level (consider: people typically dose mushrooms on the order of grams, while LSD is dosed on the order of a couple hundred micrograms).
I've never known anyone to eat several grams of LSD (this would be quite expensive),but even if they did, I suspect they'd just be largely catatonic for a day or so, and have minimal memory of the experience.
While it is, of course, possible to massively overdose on LSD, I think you'd be better off than if you overdosed mushrooms on the same scale.
While we're on the subject of dosage - I've found that people tend to have a harder time physically if they take too little LSD. Taking "just half a hit" is not recommended - On a proper dose, you'll have a bit of "body load" for a few minutes, but the psychedelic experience will take over and overshadow any physical discomfort. At the range of ~75 micrograms, I've seen people just feel twitchy and uncomfortable for hours.
Of course, YMMV.
Furhteromore, mushrooms contain many more chemicals than just psilocybin/psilocin; they are often unsanitary(especially mushrooms that are found rather than grown). Assuming that you've got actual LSD, there's not much chance of it being contaminated with anything that will have any effect at the dosage level (consider: people typically dose mushrooms on the order of grams, while LSD is dosed on the order of a couple hundred micrograms).
I've never known anyone to eat several grams of LSD (this would be quite expensive),but even if they did, I suspect they'd just be largely catatonic for a day or so, and have minimal memory of the experience.
While it is, of course, possible to massively overdose on LSD, I think you'd be better off than if you overdosed mushrooms on the same scale.
While we're on the subject of dosage - I've found that people tend to have a harder time physically if they take too little LSD. Taking "just half a hit" is not recommended - On a proper dose, you'll have a bit of "body load" for a few minutes, but the psychedelic experience will take over and overshadow any physical discomfort. At the range of ~75 micrograms, I've seen people just feel twitchy and uncomfortable for hours.
Of course, YMMV.
Thank you so much for this thoughtful response.
Imagine riding your bike home on acid in 1943.
I love reading his trip report, it really pulls you in.
But what irks me is the website. I opened it on my pixel c and started reading, after about one paragraph the whole screen went dark.
I didn't understand why, checked my screen light level from the shortcut menu but moved on thinking the light sensor was wack and wanting to keep reading.
Several paragraphs after the first image I see the damn pop up.
This frenzy of gathering email addresses under the guise of newsletters irks me to no end.
But what irks me is the website. I opened it on my pixel c and started reading, after about one paragraph the whole screen went dark.
I didn't understand why, checked my screen light level from the shortcut menu but moved on thinking the light sensor was wack and wanting to keep reading.
Several paragraphs after the first image I see the damn pop up.
This frenzy of gathering email addresses under the guise of newsletters irks me to no end.
Works very well with javascript disabled. If you leave it disabled by default, most of today's internet becomes significantly better.
Yup that was what I saw on my browser, the site was actually very clean and well behaved without JS. But my Pixel C doesn't have noscript.
I have this handy bookmark that will remove all top-level unmovable HTML on a page. One click will generally remove all popups and banners that obstruct viewing:
For a tiny piece of javascript, it works amazingly well on so many websites. Give it a try!
javascript:(function()%7B(function%20()%20%7Bvar%20i%2C%20elements%20%3D%20document.querySelectorAll('body%20*')%3Bfor%20(i%20%3D%200%3B%20i%20%3C%20elements.length%3B%20i%2B%2B)%20%7Bif%20(getComputedStyle(elements%5Bi%5D).position%20%3D%3D%3D%20'fixed')%20%7Belements%5Bi%5D.parentNode.removeChild(elements%5Bi%5D)%3B%7D%7D%7D)()%7D)()
For a tiny piece of javascript, it works amazingly well on so many websites. Give it a try!
You'll love Firefox' reader button right next to the URL bar.
Try it!
No more "click to continue reading", no pop-ups, no scroll locks, and nice formatting.
Try it!
No more "click to continue reading", no pop-ups, no scroll locks, and nice formatting.
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Here's my modified version of Kill Sticky:
I'll give yours a try too.
javascript:(function()%7B(function()%7Bdocument.body.style.overflow%20%3D%20'auto'%3B(function%20()%20%7Bvar%20i%2C%20elements%20%3D%20document.querySelectorAll('body%20*')%3Bfor%20(i%20%3D%200%3B%20i%20%3C%20elements.length%3B%20i%2B%2B)%20%7Bif%20(getComputedStyle(elements%5Bi%5D).position%20%3D%3D%3D%20'fixed')%20%7Belements%5Bi%5D.parentNode.removeChild(elements%5Bi%5D)%3B%7D%7D%7D)()%7D)()%7D)()
I'll give yours a try too.
Would you like to share your version with https://twitter.com/alisdair? Maybe he'll update his, as this is very useful.
Awesome, thanks!
You can't get high from LSD by touching it. Albert is a liar. He nibbled some.
My theory is, he knew those in the know know that this is an impossible way to get high, which is why he stuck with it (a crafty wink). He could have simply said he got a little on his finger and touched his mouth, but he stuck with the skin absorption story.
Just a little harmless tinfoil.
My theory is, he knew those in the know know that this is an impossible way to get high, which is why he stuck with it (a crafty wink). He could have simply said he got a little on his finger and touched his mouth, but he stuck with the skin absorption story.
Just a little harmless tinfoil.
Perhaps with microgram amounts - common dosages. He was working with a huge amount ... milligrams. The idea that a microgram may transmit transdermally is not inconceivable at that amount.
I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)...
Knowing that the compound is not dangerous or toxic handling some with the hands, or improper inhalation, sounds reasonable. Being in the habit of nibbling on your synthesized chemicals sounds kinda wonky.
Not to mention, there is no real motivation to lie here, unless Hofmann were a routine imbiber of random chemicals and wanted to keep his dark secret. LSD was legal at the time.
Knowing that the compound is not dangerous or toxic handling some with the hands, or improper inhalation, sounds reasonable. Being in the habit of nibbling on your synthesized chemicals sounds kinda wonky.
Not to mention, there is no real motivation to lie here, unless Hofmann were a routine imbiber of random chemicals and wanted to keep his dark secret. LSD was legal at the time.
> I'd also challenge the idea of an active scientist "getting things in his mouth" or ingesting new chemical compounds for the heck of it (at doses almost legendarily small compared to most drugs etc)...
We're talking about the 1940s, when things were a bit different.
See the history for saccharin, cyclamate, and aspartame for other examples of accidental ingestion.
We're talking about the 1940s, when things were a bit different.
See the history for saccharin, cyclamate, and aspartame for other examples of accidental ingestion.
Have any chemicals been ingested accidentally since 1940? Sure!
Are trained chemists with PhDs in the subject working with complex synthesis and dangerous chemicals in the habit, from 1929 to present day, of putting those things in their mouths? Awwww heck no.
And 1940 is near the point we cracked the atom... we knew oodles about dangerous chemical and safe handling practices. Accidents will happen, but the (speculative) fiction we are discussing here is Albert Hoffman intentionally eating LSD and lying about it :)
----
Saccharin, the oldest artificial sweetener, was accidentally discovered in 1879 by researcher Constantine Fahlberg -- Fahlberg was working with coal, and had no PhD AFAICT.
Cyclamate was discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois by graduate student Michael Sveda. Sveda was working in the lab on the synthesis of anti-fever medication. He put his cigarette down on the lab bench, and, when he put it back in his mouth, he discovered the sweet taste of cyclamate -- a student, smoking in his messy lab
Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Schlatter had synthesized aspartame as an intermediate step in generating a tetrapeptide of the hormone gastrin, for use in assessing an anti-ulcer drug candidate.[65] He discovered its sweet taste when he licked his finger, which had become contaminated with aspartame, to lift up a piece of paper -- an actual chemist, but working with something with a well known composition and known to be relatively harmless
Are trained chemists with PhDs in the subject working with complex synthesis and dangerous chemicals in the habit, from 1929 to present day, of putting those things in their mouths? Awwww heck no.
And 1940 is near the point we cracked the atom... we knew oodles about dangerous chemical and safe handling practices. Accidents will happen, but the (speculative) fiction we are discussing here is Albert Hoffman intentionally eating LSD and lying about it :)
----
Saccharin, the oldest artificial sweetener, was accidentally discovered in 1879 by researcher Constantine Fahlberg -- Fahlberg was working with coal, and had no PhD AFAICT.
Cyclamate was discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois by graduate student Michael Sveda. Sveda was working in the lab on the synthesis of anti-fever medication. He put his cigarette down on the lab bench, and, when he put it back in his mouth, he discovered the sweet taste of cyclamate -- a student, smoking in his messy lab
Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by James M. Schlatter, a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Schlatter had synthesized aspartame as an intermediate step in generating a tetrapeptide of the hormone gastrin, for use in assessing an anti-ulcer drug candidate.[65] He discovered its sweet taste when he licked his finger, which had become contaminated with aspartame, to lift up a piece of paper -- an actual chemist, but working with something with a well known composition and known to be relatively harmless
full single dose is +-100 micrograms. you won't feel anything at all from a single ug. trans-dermal 'theory' really doesn't hold well
The tone of your post encouraged me to challenge your assertion, but it does actually appear from numerous anecdotes that LSD is very poorly absorbed transdermally, even when dissolved in solvents used for that purpose.
Neat.
Neat.
It's one of those 'lies' that benefit humanity, considering the alternative would have been not to share the knowledge with the world. Because he was obviously fearing difficulties with his employer if he admitted to such a breach of standard protocols.
It reminds me of one of the early anatomists–Leonardo da Vinci, maybe? They found the cause of one of the leading causes of death at the time: appendicitis. In their publication, they invented a story about an ailing soldier being killed in such a way that the inflamed appendix was exposed. It was a lie, and a rather obvious one. But it was necessary because dissection was forbidden at the time.
It reminds me of one of the early anatomists–Leonardo da Vinci, maybe? They found the cause of one of the leading causes of death at the time: appendicitis. In their publication, they invented a story about an ailing soldier being killed in such a way that the inflamed appendix was exposed. It was a lie, and a rather obvious one. But it was necessary because dissection was forbidden at the time.
From everything I know, that's not true of crystal LSD. Ever heard of thumbprinting?
> A thumbprint is a method of consuming a massive amount of lsd, where a massive (relatively, compared to a blotter dose) amount of lsd crystals are made into a small pile, pressed on with a thumb, and then the thumb into the mouth.
The ROA is still oral.
The ROA is still oral.
Sure, but the accounts of thumbprinting I've read made it seem like there is a strong sensation almost immediately after touching it. I also know people who have described a contact high from laying sheets of LSD. Hmm... I could be wrong though.
That's not what "contact high" means. Contact high is a high feeling reported by people who have been in contact—as in in proximity, not physical contact—with other high people.
That is most probably not true at all. Any stuff put on rather thick skin of our fingers (especially solid crystals, unlike some liquid) would take considerable amount of time to get into bloodstream and finally brain.
Look at how long does it take for a space cake to kick in, and it goes to places specifically designed to dissolve & absorb material.
Don't believe all written on internet (says internet comment :))
Don't believe all written on internet (says internet comment :))
bicycle day is April 19 why is this published now?
No reason beyond the fact that I thought it was interesting. I knew the basic outlines of Hofmann's bicycle story but had never read the full account before.
I find it strange too, especially since the first human trial happened on April 16th.